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nature-inspired living with chronic illness

Now that Fall is here and the days are cool and crisp (or wet and cold where I live), it’s time to bundle up and drink hot fluids. I drink a lot of warming herbal tea blends, but some days I crave a creamy hot chocolate, or spicy chai latte made with nut milk. I recently found another delicious autumn drink option.

A friend introduced me to a wonderful creamy and spicy drink called Golden Milk that contains turmeric and ginger. Besides being deliciously warming and spicy, both turmeric and ginger have anti-inflammatory properties that are good for the gut and are helpful in relieving some types of pain.

You can buy a powdered golden milk mix at the health food store or online, but it’s a bit expensive for the small amount you get. You mix a teaspoon or so with some coconut milk or almond milk and heat it up. I found that you can easily make your own.

Below is my recipe that I have gradually adapted to my tastes from several recipes I have found over the years (there are lots of recipes online for golden milk, and I have forgotten which ones I looked at). My local food co-op even offers a golden milk smoothie!

Black pepper and a little fat are added to improve the body’s absorption of the nutrients.

1 cup of your favorite milk (I love this with hemp milk, but coconut, cashew, or almond milk are also delicious)

Directions:Heat the milk in the microwave or a saucepan (do not boil). Remove from heat and stir in spices, oil, & sweetener. Optional, mix in a blender for a frothy treat, as shown above! I often double this recipe and use a large 15-oz. mug when I’ve overdone it and some of my joints are tender. Enjoy!

Make Your Own Golden Milk Powder MixIngredients:

½ cup turmeric powder

½ cup ginger powder

1 Tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:Mix the spices thoroughly and store in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. When ready to make a serving or two, use 1 teaspoon Golden Milk Mix per cup of your favorite milk. Heat, then add 1 teaspoon oil flax oil and sweeten to taste. Optional, mix in blender for a frothy treat!